Exhibit (16)

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ William Adams IV

William Adams IV

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ Margo L. Cook

Margo L. Cook

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ Jack B. Evans

Jack B. Evans

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ William C. Hunter

William C. Hunter

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ David J. Kundert

David J. Kundert

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director/trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ Albin F. Moschner

Albin F. Moschner

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ John K. Nelson

John K. Nelson

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ William J. Schneider

William J. Schneider

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ Judith M. Stockdale

Judith M. Stockdale

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ Carole E. Stone

Carole E. Stone

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ Terence J. Toth

Terence J. Toth

NUVEEN PREFERRED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the above-referenced organization, hereby constitutes and appoints MARK CZARNIECKI, KEVIN J. McCARTHY, KATHLEEN L. PRUDHOMME, CHRISTOPHER M. ROHRBACHER, MARK L. WINGET, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for her on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file one or more Registration Statements on Form N-14 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority, federal or state, relating to the reorganizations, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organization has hereunto set her hand this 16th day of November 2016.

/s/ Margaret L. Wolff

Margaret L. Wolff